Alarm bells from the NFL

[Enrico_Misso]

Article in today's Age showing that autopsies on 111 former NFL players revealed 110 of them had serious brain damage (CTE) almost certainly from repeated head knocks over long professional careers. The conclusion is that it is not so much a handful of big hits but the cumulative impact of hundreds or thousands of of low impact head knocks.

This is a frightening frightening frightening read and indicates that whilst the AFL is ahead of the game on this we need to do more, even if it involves rule changes, to protect the sanctity of the head.
It shows Selwood is an idiot who needs to be protected from himself.
I fear for Paddy's future given his symptoms at such an early age.

[Enrico_Misso]

http://www.theage.com.au/sport/brains-o ... xis3r.html

[Devilhead]

Article in today's Age showing that autopsies on 111 former NFL players revealed 110 of them had serious brain damage (CTE) almost certainly from repeated head knocks over long professional careers. The conclusion is that it is not so much a handful of big hits but the cumulative impact of hundreds or thousands of of low impact head knocks.

This is a frightening frightening frightening read and indicates that whilst the AFL is ahead of the game on this we need to do more, even if it involves rule changes, to protect the sanctity of the head.
It shows Selwood is an idiot who needs to be protected from himself.
I fear for Paddy's future given his symptoms at such an early age.

Did it mention what position they played?

Linebackers and offense lineman bang heads all day - Running Backs lead with their heads along as do most others when they go to tackle

They also repeat this continually at training - as you said hundreds or thousands of hits

Not saying our Aussie Rules guys are not in any less danger but I think the comparative number of head knocks is far less

What is also says to me is that helmets might be next to useless

Would be interesting to see stats from combat sports - boxing, wrestling, MMA, etc...

[desertsaint]

helmets changed the game of gridiron. the head became a blocking and driving weapon. should ban them and go back to basics. actually they should go back and remove the forward pass and play rugby again - would help it become even greater if the u.s was a power nation.

[Legendary]

Did it mention what position they played?

Linebackers and offense lineman bang heads all day - Running Backs lead with their heads along as do most others when they go to tackle

The article says: "The brains studied are from players who died as young as 23 and as old as 89. And they are from every position on the field - quarterbacks, running backs and linebackers, and even a place-kicker and a punter."